Dear genealogist:
We have been asked to forward this by Mark Harvey, State Archivist, Archives of Michigan.
Action Alert: Urgent!
Support for National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC)
Reauthorization Needed by Wednesday
NHPRC is due for reauthorization in Congress this year-a year when fiscal issues are hotly
debated, and very serious situations are developing for essential programs like NHPRC. On
Thursday, July 1 at 2:30, the Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census and the National
Archives will mark up, or vote on, House bill, HR 5616 (new version of HR 1556.) It is
now more similar to the comparable Senate bill (S. 2872), but the Senate version still
calls for reauthorization of NHPRC at only $10 million. It is essential that the
subcommittee approve the $20 million authorization version. There are some strong
anti-spending voices on the committee-so it is critical that we let Chairman Lacy Clay
(D-MO) know that the archives, history, and genealogy community wants to see this bill
passed. Please call, fax, or email Chairman Clay and the subcommittee members by
Wednesday evening. It is particularly important if you are in a state with one of the
subcommittee members that you write directly to your member.
Members are:
Carolyn Maloney, D, NY fax: 202-225-4709
Steve Driehaus, D, OH fax: 202-225-3012
Henry Cuellar, D, TX fax: 202-225-1641
Judy Chu, D, CA fax: 202-225-5467
Eleanor Holmes Norton, D, DC fax: 202-225-3002
Danny Davis, D, IL fax: 202-225-5641
John Mica, R, FL fax: 202-226-0821
Patrick McHenry, R, NC fax: 202-225-0316
Lynn Westmoreland, R, GA fax: 202-225-2515
Jason Chaffetz, R, UT fax: 202-225-5629
Call or send faxes to:
Chairman William Lacy Clay
Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census and the National Archives
B-349C Rayburn House Office Building
Washington DC 20515
Fax: 202-225-4784 or Email: send as a pdf to Anthony.Clark(a)mail.house.gov
Points to make in the letter (It can be brief and stress the first three points):
HR 5616 (new version of HR 1556), calls for reauthorizing the National Historical
Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) at the funding level of $20 million. It is
scheduled to be marked up on Thursday, July 1 at 2:30 pm ET.
* IF YOU ARE WRITING TO A SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBER, URGE THEM TO ATTEND THE MEETING AND VOTE IN
FAVOR OF HR 5616, to significantly improve the condition of and access to the American
historical record.
* NHPRC is the only federal agency that provides grants specifically for archives, which
it does through competitive grants for projects with a national scope and a modest
State-National Partnership grant category for grants to states.
* NHPRC is a good investment of federal dollars. All grants must provide a 50% cost-share
in local funds. NHPRC grants often serve as "seed money" to start archival
programs or additional archival activities. Many institutions then continue to support
the program with their own dollars after the grant period.
* NHPRC stimulates jobs in the archives and records management profession. Historical
records projects are "jobs-heavy." On the average 75% of NHPRC funds for
projects are used to pay staff.
* Provide information on why NHPRC is important to your region/state/institution, or tell
a personal story about your use of a record or its importance to you.
For more information visit:
http://www.archives.gov/nhprc/.
Thank you,
Tom Koselka, Legislative Liaison
Michigan Genealogical Council
http://mimgc.org